Professor John Ballinger provides a detailed overview of NatHERS, the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, as well as the software tool.
NatHERS is an Australia-wide environmental performance evaluation tool for calculating how much energy is needed for summer cooling and winter heating in MJ per square metre of conditioned space (for the standard set of user conditions, and other assumptions).
The schemes aims and benefits are discussed as well as the role of the management body, ABSA, (Association of Building Sustainability Assessors). The NatHERS program is based on some of the most advanced software development available.
Professor Ballinger explains how the simulation engine of NatHERS was upgraded from the original CSIRO CHEETAH engine to include commonly available window systems on the market in Australia, a new air conditioning model that accounts for both latent and sensible cooling, a revised floor model for concrete slabs on ground that takes into account the perimeter of exposed floor as well as the area and the conditions underneath.
A worked example is provided in this module illustrating how NatHERS allows the designer to analyse any house design whether it's a detached cottage, terrace house or an individual apartment. All the house data is entered by a simple template system which is then computer simulated to produce an energy report.
This is the first module in this series. Further modules will include detailed data entry, zoning a plan, modeling apartments and multi-unit developments, custom walls and windows and the non- rating mode.
At the completion of this course you will:
• Appreciate how active and passive service systems for thermal comfort are suitable for the occupation, function and environmental parameters of a building
• Have an understanding of NatHERS and how it is used to evaluate and assist in environmental building design • Understand the benefits of using a rating tool such as NatHERS enabling architects to ensure their Clients an energy efficient house. • Have awareness as to how residential energy consumption can be reduced and what building components constitute both high and low energy usage.
Additional Resources: The following links may be useful resources for your practice: BASIX: http://www.basix.nsw.gov.au/information/about.jsp Australian Greenhouse Building Rating: http://www.abgr.com.au/new/default.asp Green Star: http://www.gbcaus.org/greenstar NABERS: http://www.nabers.com.au/nabers/index.htm Green Globe 21: http://www.greenglobe21.com/ NatHERS: BDP Environmental Design Guides • DES 22 The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme for Australia by John Ballinger (May 98, reviewed May 03) • DES 23 The Nationwide House Energy Rating Software (NatHERS) by John Ballinger (Nov 98, reviewed Nov 03)
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John was Professor of Architecture at the University of New South Wales where he was founder of SOLARCH, the National Solar Architecture Research Unit at UNSW.
He was in architectural practice for over nine years in Australia and Canada before joining the staff of the University to undertake both research and teaching. He has more than 50 solar efficient buildings to his name, including the Bonnyrigg Solar Village project involving 15 houses for the Department of Housing.
He was appointed Project Manager for the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) in the 1990s and has many years of experience in the field of education in energy and buildings. Before the NatHERS Project, he was chair of the Technical Advisory Committee to the Five Star Design Rating Scheme (FSDR) in the early 1980s.
Professor John Ballinger has over 150 publications to his name, including 4 books and a number of chapters in other books. His research projects include the first experimental solar house in Australia at Fowlers Gap, NSW, and the first Solar Village in Australia at Bonnyrigg in western Sydney.
